The Delta independent., 1887-05-17
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.
Annual Meeting in Washington and
Unveiling of the Statue
ofGardeId.

Unveiling of the Statue
ofGarncId.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE eigh-
of the Cumberland was iDaugurated this
morning by business meeting. Elaborate
preparations have been made by the com
mittee in charge of the entertainment Of
the members and guests Of the society. The
principal feature of the meeting will be the
unveiling Of the statue OF General James A.
Garfield, on Thursday. At II O'Clock, the
President Of the society, General Sheridan,
called the meeting to order, and explained
that the postponement from time to time of
the eighteenth reunion was due to the de-
lay IN the completion of the Garfield statue,
it being the desire of the society to conduct
the unveiling ceremonies at this meeting.
The exercises in the evening were held
in the Congregational Church, which was
completely filled. The auditorium was
beautifully decorated with bunting, corps
badges, cannons and muskets. At the back
of the stand was an immense white and
blue rosette in the center Of which was the
star Of the Army of the Cumberland fianked
by portraits framed in mourning of Gen.
erals Thomas and Garfield. Connecting
the rosette at the back of the stand with
the colors against the walls of the church
were huge flags, drawn in festoons with
pendent streamers inscribed Fort Donel-
son, )" "s'Corinth," "Stone River" "Chicka-
mauga," Missionary Ridge" and the
names of other battles in which the Army
of the Cumberland participated.
General Sheridan, President Of the So
ciety, was seated on the platform with Sem
| ator Sherman, Generals Cist Fullerton,
Rosecrans, Barnett, Robinson, Morgan,
Parkhurst, Reynolds, Whipple and others.
General Sherman arrived just before the
services began and he was greeted with
tremendous applause as he walked up the
steps leading to the stand, while Gen. Sher-
idan sprang forward and warmly welcomed
him to seat. An ovation was also tender
ed to Governor Curtain as he subsequently
ascended the platform.
Colonel Henry Duffield, the orator Of the
meeting, was introduced by Gen Sheridan,
as lone of our old Army of the Cumberland
soldiers" and he proceeded TO deliver the
annual address. His reference to the nota-
BILE Union Generals and his reference to
| the capture OF the arch traitor JEFF. Davis
were heartily applauded.
Enlivening music followed the Grafton,
and when the music concluded, Gen. Sher-
man stepped forward, at Gen. Sheridan's
invitation, and INDUCED in few army
"reminiscences.
Gen. Rosecrans, "Old Rosey," as he was
dubbed by his friends on the platform, was
next introduced and warmly received. He
reviewed briefly the salient points of his
career in the Army of the Cumberland, tax
ing occasion to correct what he assumed to
be some erroneous statements in recen,
publications touching tisi campaigns OF
that army. referring to General Thomas a.
"A chevalier sans pear at tans reproch..'' u
The ceremonies closed with music and a
prayer by Rev. f. D. Daniels The mem
bers left the church to attend the sympo-
stun in a neighboring hall.
sEcoSppAY.
WASHINGTON. May 12-The second
day of the reunion of the Society of the
Army of the Cumberland was perfect
specimen of Washington spring weather
The streets at an early hour were thronged
with eager crowds, which were increased
at noon by the closing of the executive de-
partments; and the music of brass bands
was heard in every quarter.
On the grand-stand near the statue seats
had been arranged for !, 500 people, and a
number Of these were occupied at least an
hour before the procession arrived. A pair
of comfortable arm chairs in the center OF
the stand were reserved for the Presiden.
and Mrs. Cleveland. Places were also re,
served for the sculptor and other favored
guests. The large circle surrounding the
monument was kept clear by the police.
Secretary Bayard and Attorney General
Garland, the members of the Supreme
Court, the district judiciary, the Court OF
Claims, and the District Commissioners and
two sons Of General Garfield occupied con.
spicuous seats near the Presidents chair
At 10 O'Clock Marshal Wilson, taking
his place on the stand. said:
Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen-The
Society of the Army of the Cumberland,
with these distinguished guests, are assem-.
bled here to day for the purpose of unveil.
ing the statue of that eminent statesman
and soldier, Jumes A. Garfield. The exer.
cises will be opened with prayer by Rev.
DR.. Giesey.
At the close of the prayer, the Marine
Band surrounded the monument struck up
Hail to the Chief" and amid the clapping
of hands, the American flag enveloping the
statue was dropped. and the great image
stood exposed to the rays of the midday
sun, while battery Of artillery fired Ma
tional salute.
The statue is cast in bronze. The figure
is heroic in size. 1t represents Garfield in
graceful attitude, with one hand holding
manuscript as If he We're addressing an
audience, and the other resting on book,
supported by column. His coat is thrown
back from his shoulders, giving the figure
a life-like appearance. The granite shaft is
adorned with bronze ornaments, above
which, resting on brackets, are three life
size symbolical figures. These figures are
in sitting or recumbent posture, and rep
resent the three types Of manhood depicted
in Garfield's career-ciz., the student the
warrior, the statesman. The three tablets
placed above these ideal figures are in the
form Of a shield on which rest planetary
globe for the student, sword and trum-
pet for the warrior, and laurel wreath,
enclosing the scales Of justice, for the
statesman. The shaft, which is circular, is
encircled by looped bands of oak leaves,
alternated with buckeyes" in bronze. On
the three sides of the granite shaft are the